Lifestyle Changes to Manage Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD)

Most lifestyle changes that might be helpful for TMD involve ways to break habits that might be contributing to your pain, such as grinding your teeth, clenching your jaw, or habitually chewing gum.

Learn to manage stress

Wear night guards

Stop chewing gum

Avoid opening your mouth very wide

Eat softer foods

Nearly everyone has some habit that they use to release nervous energy when they feel stressed. In some people, tooth grinding or jaw clenching, also known as
bruxism, may contribute to pain in the temporomandibular joint. Finding other ways to
manage stress
may help decrease your pain.
Biofeedback, relaxation techniques,
and cognitive behavioral therapy may be helpful.

A night guard is a customized plastic device, usually made by a dentist, which fits over your teeth. The device is worn at night to reduce the damage to teeth and jaw joints caused by bruxism.

Habitual gum chewers sometimes have jaw pain because of overuse. For some people, chewing gum is a nervous habit. If you are a regular gum chewer, consider breaking the habit to see if this improves your symptoms of TMD.

Be aware of how wide you open your mouth. This may give your jaw a chance to rest and heal.

Your doctor might recommend that you eat soft foods to rest your jaw.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

TMJ (temporomandibular joint and muscle disorders). National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research website. Available at:
https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/oralhealth/Topics/TMJ/TMJDisorders.htm. Updated April 2015. Accessed February 22, 2017.